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Twins Sign Veteran Relief Pitcher to Minor League Contract Amid Quiet Free Agency
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- Twins Sign Veteran Relief Pitcher to Minor League Contract Amid Quiet Free Agency
The Minnesota Twins made a quiet but smart move on Wednesday, agreeing to a minor league contract with right-handed pitcher Dan Altavilla , according to Francys Romero.
The 33-year-old reliever is expected to receive a non-roster invite to major league spring training, where he will compete for a spot in the Twins' bullpen.
Altavilla comes to Minnesota after spending the 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox , where he posted a solid 2.48 ERA across 29 innings in 28 relief appearances.
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The veteran right-hander also recorded two saves and showed he can still get outs at the big league level after missing most of the previous three seasons due to Tommy John surgery and other injuries.
Why Minnesota Made the Move
The Twins finished the 2025 season with a 70-92 record, placing fourth in the AL Central and missing the playoffs.
A big reason for their struggles was the bullpen, which was gutted at the trade deadline when the team dealt away several key relievers including Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax .
Heading into the offseason, Minnesota's relief corps was thin and in need of depth.
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Justin Topa , Cole Sands , and Kody Funderburk appear to be the only pitchers locked into opening day bullpen roles, which leaves plenty of room for a veteran like Altavilla to earn a spot.
The Twins were also linked to right-hander Brad Keller before he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies , so adding Altavilla helps fill that gap.
What Altavilla Brings to Minnesota
Altavilla's best weapon is his fastball, which still sits in the 96-97 MPH range and can overpower hitters when he locates it well.
He also throws a sinker that generated ground balls at a strong 51.3 percent clip in 2025, along with a slider and a changeup he developed last season with Chicago.
The concerns with Altavilla are in his command and strikeout numbers.
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His 17.5% strikeout rate and 12.5 percent walk rate in 2025 were both worse than the league average, and his 5.45 FIP suggests some regression could be coming.
But for a minor league deal with no guaranteed money, the risk is low and the upside is real if the Twins can help him refine his control.
The Pennsylvania native has spent parts of eight seasons in the big leagues with four different teams, including Seattle , San Diego , Kansas City, and Chicago.
He knows what it takes to pitch in the majors, and his experience could be valuable for a young Twins team looking to rebuild.
For Minnesota, Altavilla represents exactly the kind of low-cost addition they need to make this offseason. If he earns a roster spot, he could provide solid middle relief innings.
If not, the Twins lose nothing. Either way, it is a smart gamble for a team looking to get back on track in 2026.
